Harrisburg, PA, your under arrest
Seems that Harrisburg, PA, in violation of PA’s preemption laws has posted ‘no weapons’ signs in Riverfront Park. Totally illegal and a violation of the PA Uniform Firearms Act.
Title 18, Chapter 61, subchapter A (otherwise known as The Uniform Firearms Act) specifically subsection 6120 which states:
“General rule: No county, municipality or township may in any manner regulate the lawful ownership, possession, transfer or transportation of firearms, ammunition or ammunition components when carried or transported for purposes not prohibited by the laws of this commonwealth.”
Yeah, I’m a activist…. LOL for the right side. We are going to go to watch the fireworks at Riverfront Park this weekend. And yes, I will have my firearm with me. with over 22 shooting and 11 deaths from them in the last month, do they really think that I’m going to go there without it. If the United States Supreme Court says that police protection is not to be expected at all times… who is responsible for my safety? I am, and I will be.
peace
Fixing what isn’t broken.
One of the internet forums I’m a member of has a ongoing discussion about magazine disconnects and removing them from your gun. Basically a magazine disconnect prevents the gun from firing unless there is a magazine in the gun. Even if there is a bulet in the chamber it will not fire unless a magazine is inserted as well.
My Ruger P345 has one of these and I would never think of disconnecting it, I’ve stated my position that I believe it’s bad to remove a safety feature on any gun. It’s good to know that even if it’s loaded (it’s always loaded unless I’m cleaning it or am at the range)and someone trys to grab my gun away from me that I could drop the magazine and make the gun innoperable. My old Smith & Wesson 4006 had one of these as well, sometimes after cleaning I would forget and try to dryfire it without the magazine in. Yeah getting old sucks.
This is how I really feel about it, do I really want to give some bad guys lawyer a license to use a “so tell us why you removed a safety feature on your gun” argument against me if indeed I ever have to defend my right to defend myself in court. No these aren’t just ‘urban ledgends’ as some pro-gun activists claim. Lawyers will use and say whatever they need to if they are getting paid enough to do it. Like it or not with judges like the current Supreme Court nominee, we have to cover our asses because the courts are not our friend
Farrah Faucett and Micheal Jackson have both died this week, one will be missed
Combat Action Pistol Shooting
Sunday I got to go to a Combat Pistol Shoot at Tuplehocken Fish & Game. Was the first time I’ve ever been to something like that. Was fun, went with a couple guys I know from Jonestown Fish & Game. I Suck, pretty much sums up how I did. I shot both the rimfire and the centerfire class. I should have brought my 1911, but chose to shoot my Ruger instead in centerfire.
Basically we shot, 6 at a 25 yard B-26 target, 6 at 6 steel plates at 25 yards, 6 at 6 steel plates at 10 yards, 6 at a three bad guy, one with a hostage senario at variable distances, 6 at 6 steel plates at a varied distance, 6 at 6 bowling pin shaped steel plates. You have 8 seconds to shoot the six shoots in each phase.
My .22lr needs help, it’s got issues with new fangled high speed ammo. It’s a High Standard HD Military that belonged to my grandfather. It’s older than I am I believe. I’m going to give it to my local gunsmith to work on, he has a lot of High Standard Parts he bought from a older guy who retired. That’ll be nice to be able to get it worked on, I’d like to shoot it more, but haven’t been because it’s so old.
Oh btw, the funeral for the cardboard hostage who I COM’d twice will be held Friday. Good to know I wasn’t the only one to do it though. But since I was using ball ammo it probably passed through and got the bad guy as well…
It was fun. I did as good as I expected for the first time
What’s In Your Pocket
Yes, I carry a gun with me daily as I travel around Central PA. But there’s also a lot of other stuff I carry around daily. Her’s just a list of them and why I carry them. I’m not going to include my Wallet and Keys in my list of things.
They are in now special order except for the first one. My Cell phone, never leave the house without it when I carry. I want to be able to call the police if something ever does happen. I read a lot about how the first caller is generally percieved as the ‘victim’ by the police when people call. I’d like to be that first one.
2. Gerber 3.5″ Para Frame knife , it’s light, thin, opens easily and has a lock blade which means it’s not goning to chop my fingers off slipping closed. It has a belt clip and I usally clip it on the right pocket of my pants.
3. LED Flashlight, made by Rayovac, 80 lumes, aluminium, uses AA batteries instead of the more expensive lithium ones. Very bright and can be blinding at night. also clipped onto my right pocket next to my Knife
4. Digital Voice Recorder, it’s compact, downloadable and easy to operate. I think of it as a insurance policy as far as who said what. Makes it a whole lot easier to recall what happened if it’s on a recording as well. Left front pocket.
5. Extra Magzine, 8 rounds in a old Gerber mutitool pouch on my belt on the right side.
6. PA Open Carry information flyers, Education is the key to people knowing the correct laws, will have about 8-10 of them with me in my left rear pocket. You can read it and download it here. I print my own, haven’t quite got the format figured out to get the folds right. http://paopencarry.org/pdfs/Pennsylvania_Gun_Rights.pdf
Well, those are just a few things I carry on a daily basis along with my Ruger.
Peace
Random Thoughts
We should not forget that the spark which ignited the American Revolution was caused by the British attempt to confiscate the firearms of the colonists. – Patrick Henry
When they took the 4th Amendment, I was quiet because I didn’t deal drugs.
When they took the 6th Amendment, I was quiet because I am innocent.
When they took the 2nd Amendment, I was quiet because I don’t own a gun.
Now they have taken the 1st Amendment, and I can only be quiet.
– Lyle Myhr
Just a couple of quotes worth thinking about.
Our President has decided to nominate a ‘activist’ judge for the Supreme Court, imagine that. A judge that has ruled against the 1st, 2cd and 4th amendments in her time as a US District Court Judge. I don’t care if she was appointed by George H.W. Bush. In my opinion. I think the ‘liberal’ leadership is lining up it’s ducks for a assault on the Constitution. Obama has already (before the election) stated that he believes the Constitution of the United States is outdated and should be revised to reflect ‘modern’ ideology.
I heard on the fox news that George Tiller (America’s most prolific abortion doctor) was murdered at his church in KS. I can only comment that murder is unjustifiable . . . . even of a murderer such as Tiller.
Looking to buy a new AR15 flattop at a decent price and possibly a Sig Sauer P6, the Sig is a 9mm semi-auto pistol, refurbished former German Police trade-in. My local shop has both, it’s nice living less than a 1/4 mile from a gunshop.
Now if I can just find some Hornaday 45 acp +P 230g XTP/JHP’s for my Ruger to eat I’d be great. Seems any Hornaday ammo is getting harder to find than a conservative in Washington, DC.
Peace
A PA Open Carry Must read
Headcase, wrote a great synopsis of Open Carry in Pennsylvania. I would have use his name but in asking permission he said just his PAFOA screenname would surfice.
http://forum.pafoa.org/open-carry-144/59762-open-carry-what-you-should-know-before-you-do.html
So, you have been thinking about OC(Open Carry), and now you think you are ready……
In this Commonwealth, OC is an unlegislated right. Well, everywhere except Philadelphia, where you need to be Licenced to Carry Firearms in order to carry Concealed or Openly. There are many reasons to choose OC as a carry method, not the least of which is, “Because I can.”. If this describes you, please, feel free, but know that there are possible consequences that you really should be prepared for. The choice to prepare is yours. If you choose to prepare, then follow along. I am going to present all the OC knowledge I can in this thread, to help prepare you for the experience. I will be giving general information and advice( I do so from my own research and personal experience- IN NO WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM, DO I CLAIM TO BE A LAWYER OR THAT THIS INFORMATION AND ADVICE WILL KEEP YOU OUT OF JAIL), and will include links for you to dig deeper. The main points to cover, as far as I am concerned, are Equipment, Training, Awareness, Knowledge, and Interactions.
It is your right to just pick up your firearm, strap it on, and go off about your business OC’ing, if you so desire. BUT, I would suggest you learn all you can before doing so. Start with suggested equipment:
1.) A good retention holster.
2.) A voice recorder (Audio/video taping police in PA).
3.) This flyer. Print off a few, carry them with you, and make sure you understand the content. This is one of the best resources you will find. It has good case law references and a wealth of information. LEARN IT, KNOW IT, LIVE IT!
4.) Your LTCF. While a LTCF is not needed to OC anywhere but Philadelphia normally, the convenience of having one is huge. It allows you to be in possession of your firearm in a vehicle, it allows you to carry during a declared state of emergency, it allows you to carry in a Gun Free School Zone, and God forbid your clothing should accidentally cover your firearm while OC’ing, you’re covered.
Practice with both 1 and 2 until you are comfortable with their operation. Read and understand 3..thoroughly.
This leads right into Training:
1.) Professional training classes dealing with firearm carry are always suggested. The more you train, the better.
2.) OC specific Retention (concerns about a disarm and level of skill?)training is strongly suggested. This should, at the very least, consist of Retention drills. While I personally don’t believe a gun grab is a very likely scenario for a non-LEO Open Carrier, THE POSSIBILITY DOES INDEED EXIST, and the consequences of not preparing to defend against one can be drastic. Basic Retention training can be as simple as making sure you have an unloaded pistol, and having someone come try to sneak up and take it out of the holster. If you are involved in any type of self defense class or martial arts training, simply asking the instructor to go over some techniques could pay enormous dividends. Part of that training is going to touch on Situational Awareness..
Awareness:
1.) Whether, or not, you are carrying a firearm, it is a great idea to be aware of your surrounding.
2.) Open Carrying a firearm is an activity that fairly screams for you to be extra aware of your surroundings. While in the grocery store, you are stretching up to grab the last can of beans, totally intent on what you are doing, when the six year old of the lady gawking at your Desert Eagle reaches up to touch the shiny gun because his mother never taught him to respect others personal space. Awkward situation, no? Dangerous? Well, yeah. Maybe the kid has no shot at activating the firearm, but if a six year old could reach out and grab it with you unaware until it happens, who else could do so? Always be aware of your firearm, and your surroundings.
Knowledge:
1.) If you are going to carry a firearm, OC, CC, whatever, KNOW THE LAWS THAT APPLY. DO RESEARCH HERE. Even if you search the forums and come up empty, ask about what you are looking for and someone here will help you. There are more than a few people here who have been OC’ing for quite a while, who know the answer to just about anything you can think to ask…USE THIS RESOURCE!
2.)SEE #1!
3.) It bears repeating, you have the right to OC, whether you follow these suggestions or not, but please, PLEASE do not go out and OC, get into trouble and then come looking for help after the fact, expecting to be treated with kid gloves, especially if you should have known what to do before hand. If you do your homework, accept the risks and responsibilities, then you will find almost unlimited help here if you have a problem.
Some threads that should be required reading for OC’ers:
http://forum.pafoa.org/open-carry-14…ity-5-9-a.html (Pa. Patriot ARRESTED at the OC dinner @ The Old Country Buffet in Dickson City 5/9)
http://forum.pafoa.org/concealed-ope…nsylvania.html (READ FIRST: Where you CAN and CANNOT Carry weapons in the State of Pennsylvania)
http://forum.pafoa.org/concealed-ope…heres-why.html (Mere carry of a weapon RAS? NO! (Here’s why!))
http://forum.pafoa.org/concealed-ope…ou-can-cc.html (Why OC when you can CC?) (post #9 has a few other links)
http://forum.pafoa.org/open-carry-14…-why-i-oc.html (This is why I OC.)
There are probably a hundred OC related threads here… While the OCB thread is way long, there is a wealth of information starting on page 15
Interactions:
Many people OC everyday with no problems, but there is always the possibility that you will have an encounter, just because someone can see your firearm.
Know the laws. Know your rights. Be comfortable in that knowledge. Be prepared to deal with police, curious people, and hostile people.
Police:
All police officers in Pa., must undergo annual training updates. This year, OC is specifically addressed (2009 MPOETC Mandatory In-Service Training). The specific info is here
The fact of the matter is that just Openly Carrying a firearm, in a holster, absent some indication of criminal activity, is NOT a valid reason for a police officer to stop you, detain you, arrest you, demand ID, or take possession of your firearm. Whether they will, or not, seems to depend on the officer. If they do, no matter how nice, polite, endearing, or childhood friend like, they seem, you would do well to say nothing other than, “Am I being detained? Am I free to go? I do not consent to any of this.”. If they demand that you follow their instructions, comply with them exactly. When you consent to things during a police encounter, you very likely waive your rights. Just don’t do it. Watch these don’t talk to police part1 part2
1.) If you carry a voice recorder, immediately start it as soon as you are aware of a police presence.
2.) If the police approach you, DO NOT TOUCH YOUR FIREARM.
3.) Everyone will react to a police encounter differently, but you really should be firm about exercising your rights. Do not let them bully you into waiving those rights. Remember that if you were not doing anything illegal, then the police have no right to demand, or take, anything from you. Do not volunteer anything.
Some good stuff here (STOP, DETAIN, SEARCH – What CAN an Officer Do Legally (IANAL))
4.) It would be advisable to know a firearm rights attorney’s information.
Curious people:
If you OC as part of your daily activities, you are bound to encounter at least one person who is genuinely curious about why you are carrying a gun out for God and the world to see. While OC ambassadorship is not for everyone, it helps the cause to be friendly when someone approaches you asking about your firearm. This is a great reason to carry copies of the Gun Rights Flyer with you. If you are going to engage people in a conversation about Pa. Gun rights, please, please be knowledgeable on the subject. Don’t pass along any information that you are not sure of, and direct them to this site or Paopencarry.org, for more information. Invite them to do more research on their own. Acting like you know what you are talking about, and perpetuating firearm myths, does about as much damage to our cause as illegal activity does, IMO.
1.) Try to be polite.
2.) Know what you are talking about. If you don’t know something, say so and direct them to where they can find out.
3.) If you have a flyer, give it out.
Hostile people:
You may well also have encounters with people who, for whatever reason, feel that you are the Devil for carrying Openly. Again, while OC ambassadorship is not for everyone, try to be polite. Remember that if you act aggressively toward someone like this, the fact that you have a firearm may work against you. My general advice for non-LEO encounters is to just be yourself. I am not going to preach about turning the other cheek if some asswipe comes up and interrupts your anniversary dinner to tell you that you are a jerk for carrying like that, all I ask is that you remember, for your own good, that if you become a raving lunatic, it is probably not going to turn out well for you when the inevitable “Man with a gun having a fight” call gets answered. This ties in with situational awareness. Know where you are, what your surroundings are, and act accordingly. I have found that anything you do to respond to people like this, will be a complete waste of time, as anyone who is willing to be publicly uncivil toward someone carrying a firearm openly, is not very likely to be swayed by logic.
1.) Try to be polite.
2.) If you must engage in a pissing contest with someone like this, try to do so in a calm, dry tone.
3.) Do not, under any unnecessary circumstance, reach for or imply that you will use, your firearm.
4.) Try complaining about them to the management of wherever you might be at the time. Turn the tables on these guys for once 
5.) Just ignoring them is probably best.
Holsters, carrying you Pistol safely
Most gun owners have more than one holster for the same gun. My favorite are a tan/brown leather retention style holsters that attach to my belt, they are called ‘outside the waistband’ (OWB) or belt holsters. The retention strap prevents the gun from falling out of the holster and helps prevent someone from grabbing a gun away from as it’s carried it. You can also tuck in your shirt easily and openly carry your pistol with these easily
I also use Blackhawk Serpa II retention holsters, I like them best for shooting competition and range use, they are easier to draw from and faster as I just push the lock button rather than have to unsnap a strap to draw my gun. They can either mount to your belt like a leather one (my preference) or can be used as a ‘paddle’ holster which is where the back has a plate that slides behind your belt and pants. I find the paddle backing very uncomfortable. I don’t like them for daily carry as it ‘feels’ to me that the holster doesn’t hold my gun as close to my body as a leather one does.
I also use a inside the waistband (IWB) ‘tuckable’ holster at times when I don’t want people to ‘accidently’ see my gun if I stretch to reach for something on a high shelf or bend over. It allows me to tuck in a shirt and still conceal my pistol behind it. Te gun would be inside the waistband of my pants with my shirt tucked in. Works good for places I don’t want or need the hassle of someone possibly seeing my pistol. I find these the least comfortable way to carry my pistol.
For my daily carry gun, my Ruger P345 I have three holsters. The first by Tagua, is a tan leather retention holster that I love, it holds my gun very close to my body and keeps the outline (printing) to a minimum when I choose to carry concealed. I also Have a Backhawk Serpa II holster for it. The third holster I use is a Highnoon holster “Tailgator” which is a ‘tuckable’ holster.
For my Charles Daly 1911, I only have two holsters, a Blackhawk Serpa II and a leather holster with a retention strap I found on eBay. On my 1911 the retention strap also prevents the hammer from falling on the firing pin during carry as well as retaining it from falling out or being grabbed away by someone else
Blackhawk, http://www.blackhawk.com/
Highnoon Holsters, http://www.highnoonholsters.com/
Tagua, http://www.taguagunleather.com/
~ Just got home tonight from work, back to work tomorrow night. Hey it pays the ever increasing bills. Helps pay for new guns as well.
~ We went out and took a walk around the lake tonight… was great to be out there, a little breezy, but still great. Thank you ‘fast’ Eddie for signing the law into affect that I can carry concealed in PA State parks, I feel safer.
~ Bought Mark Levin’s book Liberty and Tyranny, a conservative manifesto today.
~ Some gun porn for the Rightwing Extremists who read this. My Ruger P345 and my Charles Daly Stainless Steel 1911 (the shiney one).
~ The ammo is Hornaday 230g +p XTP/JHP. The knife is a Gerber Para, Flashlight is a 80 lum that will run on AA batteries instead of the expensive lithium ones, and lastly, a digital voice recorder (it’s a cya thing).
~ Yes, I carry all this junk around with me every day, just add cell phone, keys, and wallet. The Ruger is my daily carry gun since it weights close to 3/4 of a pound less than the 1911.
~ Hope everyone has a great weekend
Confessions of a Rightwing Extremist
I must confess…. After reading this entire document from the Dept of Homeland Insecurity, I have decided that I am indeed a Rightwing Extremist. I called work, I quit my job and am barracading myself into the house for when they come for me. I don’t think it will be long, I bought a case of Spam, two gun magazines to go with the NRA ones that came in the mail today and three gallons of water for when they shut off the utilities. I need a loving volunteer to adopt my two cats, (no Chinese need apply).
The evidence
~ I am former military, US Navy 1976 through 1984
~ I do own Guns and Ammo for all of them, I even have some ammo I’ve bought for guns I plan to buy in the future
~ I do believe in God, Great Spirit, Creator, Supreme Power
~ I’m a member of four Rightwing Extremist organizations, NRA, Second Amendment Foundation and PA Gun Owners, and PA Open Carry . . . . and do support all four financially
~ I am a member of the Constitution Party and did vote for a Third Party Candidate for President. Chuck Baldn
~ I own two books by Ron Paul, Death of the West and The Revolution, a manifesto
~ I have a book by Pat Buchannon, State of Emergency
~ I even have a book by Ted Nugent. Ted, White and Blue
~ I listen to far right talk radio, Alex Jones, Rollye James, Coast to Coast AM
So here is my public apology to all my Democrat friends- I’m sorry I didn’t vote for Barack Hussien Obama!
~My Democrat friends told me if I didn’t vote for Barack, the nation’s Hope would deteriorate, and sure enough there has been a 20 point drop in the Consumer Confidence Index since the election.
~They told me if I didn’t vote for Barrack, the US would become more deeply embroiled in the Middle East, and sure enough tens of thousands of additional troops are scheduled to be deployed into Afghanistan .
~They told me if I didn’t vote for Barack, that the economy would get worse and sure enough unemployment is approaching 10% and the new stimulus packages implemented recently have sent the stock market lower than at any time since 9-11.
~They told me if I didn’t vote for Barack, we would see more “crooks” in high ranking positions in Federal government and sure enough, several recent cabinet nominees and Senate appointments revealed resumes of bribery and tax fraud.
~Well, I ignored my Democrat friends in November and didn’t vote for Barack.
And they were right…. All of their predictions have come true! It must be all MY fault.
Okay Seriously, I didn’t quite my job and am not barracading myself in my house.
Can you believe PMSNBC / MSLSD had this psychotic woman on it, she needs to stick to her bad comedy. Unbelievable. Don’t worry Jenene, I don’t like you even more than I don’t like Barack http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38Khaetx18E Unfortunatly, you’ll never understand it’s not because he’s black, it’s because he’s a F#$%&’n Markist.
On a lighter note, had a great day today in Harrisburg at the Capital for the Gun Rights Rally. Was a good day, suppose to be rainy, but turned out with sun shining. See even God likes Guns.
Have a good week
Finally got one.
Bought a new gun cabinet to keep guns and ammo and all that stuff in. It’s a Stackon 10 gun double door security cabinet. it’s something I’ve been putting off for a while. But I beeded to get one. I wish I could have gotten a actual fireproof gun safe. You can see it here.
http://www.stack-on.com/securityplus/gun_cabinets_and_pistol_boxes/gcd-924-5.html
No I haven’t just been letting guns lay around the house… not with three teenage kids here. Everything is locked up. It’s just been locked up in two little safes. The rifles and shotguns, locked up with cable locks or the bolts removed from the bolt actions so that they’d be inoperable without them. It’s been a real pain in the butt. My Ruger (carry gun) is on the nightstand beside the bed with a cable lock on it and I sleep with the key around my neck.
Tomorrow I’m going to a Birthday / Pizza Party with some people here in Lancaster, PA. It’s a group of friends from the PA Firearms Owers website www.pafoa.org . Should be a lot of fun. Hope your weekend goes well
Peace
